Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, longtime competitors for the title of the world’s richest person, are now seemingly vying for the favor of President-elect Donald Trump. The two billionaires recently exchanged jabs on social media over claims involving Trump’s return to power.
Musk Accuses Bezos, Then Backtracks
On Thursday, Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, took to his social media platform to allege that Bezos had been discouraging investments in Musk’s companies. “Just learned tonight at Mar-a-Lago that Jeff Bezos was telling everyone that @realDonaldTrump would lose for sure, so they should sell all their Tesla and SpaceX stock,” Musk wrote.
Bezos swiftly denied the claim, posting, “Nope. 100% not true,” on X, the platform Musk owns. Musk later walked back his statement, replying, “Well, then, I stand corrected,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.
Billionaire Rivalry Meets Politics
The spat comes as Musk and Bezos rank first and second on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with net worths of $331 billion and $226 billion, respectively. The rivalry extends beyond wealth, now intersecting with Trump’s presidency. Musk has gained prominence working on Trump’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with cutting federal spending.
Meanwhile, Bezos faced backlash in late October when his Washington Post controversially opted not to endorse a presidential candidate for the first time in decades. Critics accused the decision of being a strategic move to avoid alienating Trump, prompting resignations from prominent journalists and the cancellation of over 200,000 subscriptions.
Musk’s Expanding Influence Under Trump
Trump’s victory has elevated Musk’s already significant influence, with Time Magazine recently describing him as a modern-day William Randolph Hearst, a private citizen shaping culture, media, and politics. “Even Trump can seem almost in awe,” the feature noted, calling Musk’s reach unparalleled.
Despite the attention, Musk dismissed claims that he’s working to further Trump’s agenda. Responding to Time’s description of his “career goals” checklist, Musk clarified, “I am trying to make life multiplanetary to maximize the probable lifespan of consciousness.”
A Billionaire Showdown with Broader Implications
The Musk-Bezos feud highlights the intersection of wealth, power, and politics in Trump’s America. As Musk takes on a leading role in Trump’s administration and Bezos faces scrutiny for his media decisions, the rivalry underscores the growing influence of billionaires in shaping the nation’s future.
